A December Tournament - The Kid Pulls Through in the Pinch

[Bob La Londe]

We started out the day bad.  We put the boat in the water, and the starter just went click, click, click...  Uh Oh.  The still under warranty and very expensive Minn Kota Orbital cranking battery died.  I did a quick voltage check by turning on my rear depth sounder.  9.5 volts.  Since the onboard charger had been plugged in for the last couple dasy I could only conclude that the battery had failed.  I coud jump start it from the trolling motor batteries, but I certainly didn' want to have to do that all day. 

I planned to fish inside the marina for the first couple hours, and wait for the marina shop to open.  When I checked the hours posted on the door the shop operator pulled up.  Knowing how I hate to be disturbed for stupid stuff when I am not working, I hesitated to ask, but when I did he was more than happy to sell me a new battery.  Needless to say it was not a Minn Kota Orbital battery.  It was slightly larger and a lot larger capacity, but it still fit in my battery tray.  Cool.

With my confidence restored we headed out on the river only a few places behind our drawn starting number.  I know the river pretty well from Fisher's Landing down to the dam.  I opened up the motor on the little boat and off we went.  WHAM!!!  Right into the sandbar across from Fisher's. Hitting sandbar is normally no shameful experience on the river, but I have dodged this one for over two years now.  I have even fished all along the back side of it.  I considered using the push pole to get off.  The water was in the high 40s.  Brrrr!!!  Rather than waste valuable fishing time I jumped out and walked the boat off the sandbar. 

We headed down river to hit one of my best winter spots.  My Uncle Paul was actually with me when I discovered this spot.  It has consistantly produced a couple fish for me in almost any conditions, and last winter it managed to put me and my partner in the money once.  We headed up and down the area several times.  We spotted some decent fish on the first pass.  Deciding we were too close we back way off and worked it slow with crank baits.  I tied into one decent fish, but over horsed it trying to keep it up out of a submerged tree.  It would easily have been our big fish for the day.  We made two more passes along the area, that fish was still hanging in the same area as were several other keeper size bass.  I got to see her atleast three times.  It was no record, but it would go an easy 3 1/2 pounds.  Maybe 4, but I hate to guess. 

I got a little upset with Robert wehn we tried our next back water spot and he stuck a rather expensive rod up in the air as we made our way through a narrow channel with over hanging brush.  When I saw the rod bent way over backwards we had a pleasant little conversation about the temperature of the water and the distance it was to swim back to Fisher's Landing.  Good thing I let my good sense over ride my temper and let the kid stay in the boat.  If not for him we might have come in empty. 

After wasting way too much time trying to pick up more fish we decided to try and find some warmer water.  One lake we tried had water int he low fifties, but no action.  I hit two of my deeper spots with no luck, and then we tried some shallow hallows were I have spotted fish in the past.  Nothing.  Finally we triied another lake that always produces a few fish.  I only caught one 12 7/8 inch bass (too small) but Robert managed to pick up two keepers dead sticking stick worms wacky style.  Good job Robert.



To top things off for me, the momentary switch failed in the trolling motor pedal as I was manueviring into the dock back at Fisher's Landing.  I smacked into another guys boat tied up next to mine.  Not to hard, and the fellow was pretty understanding.  Now I have to see if I can find a new switch for the motor, but the kid rocked today.  He fished hard and put keepers in the boat. 

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WARNING: 
The following is a plug. 


Secret Weapon lures is hosting a Tips and Tricks Contest on my website.  The winner gets free Secret Weapon Lures. 

[MotherNature]

So where were you fishing Bob?

Looks like Murphy's Law was following you around that day but you still managed to come out of it with some fish.

[Bob La Londe]

We fished a lot of backwaters all up and down the Colorado River between Fisher's Landing and Imperial Dam.  I have to credit Robert 100% for his catches.  I was quick on the net though.  One of his fish came off in the net, so I could try and weazel in and take some credit, but he was the pro yesterday, and I was just along to drive the boat. 

[MotherNature]

That is really great! I love to see the young ones getting in on the action!